Face masks are now required for many situations including entering indoor spaces such as stores and shops or (outdoor) public spaces where one cannot maintain a distance of 6 ft from others. However, many people have refused to wear face masks, finding them to be an "inconvenience"and believing in the freedom to refuse wearing masks. Others just don't believe the coronavirus is real or don't believe that masks are efficacious in preventing the virus. There are many problems, both ethical and health related, to not wearing masks. This article aims to provide clarification on the ethics of wearing face masks and evidence for their efficacy.
Scientific Evidence for COVID-19/Masks
COVID-19 is real. There have been countless scientific studies and research proving the coronavirus is real and contagious. Millions of healthcare workers, scientists, politicians, and organizations around the world have provided a detailed information on COVID-19 backed up with heavy research. It would be nearly impossible to coordinate a fake flow of information with the hundreds of workers involved governments and hospitals around the world as well as renowned organizations such as the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and prevention. There are many platforms and reliable sources to find new information on the coronavirus. For example, this blog is a platform that provides coronavirus related information based on scientific journals/publications that have been peer reviewed with data and evidence to back up the research.
COVID-19 is highly contagious. The coronavirus is not only real but highly contagious. As of August 2020, there are more than 5 million COVID-19 cases in the U.S. alone and 13 million COVID-19 cases worldwide. According to the FDA, or Food and Drug Administration, "COVID-19 spreads mainly from person to person, typically through respiratory droplets from coughing, sneezing or talking". Because of the nature of the infection route, people are required to maintain a social distance of 6 feet and wear face masks to prevent respiratory droplets from entering the body through the mouth. For more information on virus transmission and infection see Is 6 feet enough.
Face masks offer protection and do not put the wearer at risk of infection. COVID-19 is a highly contagious virus that has spread rapidly across the globe. Face masks have been scientifically proven with data and evidence to significantly reduce and slow the spread of the virus. Multiple studies can be found to have similar data results regarding the efficacy of masks. This blog covers the findings and data from one of these studies: Efficacy of Masks. All these studies are consistent with their findings: wearing face masks will slow the spread of COVID-19 and significantly reduce transmission rates without putting the wearer at higher risk of infection. We know this to be true not only from scientific findings but also from real world examples. Countries such as Taiwan, who have been requiring face masks and enforcing social distancing since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, have very few coronavirus cases and deaths and are already preparing to return to normal. In contrast, the U.S. is leading the world with the highest number of COVID-19 cases and deaths, even with the country's advanced technology and medical resources. One of the main reasons for this is that the government has not been enforcing strict mask wearing requirements since the first COVID-19 outbreak and much of the public does not take mask wearing seriously. Face masks have been proven to act as a barrier against coronavirus respiratory droplets and if everyone chooses to wear them, cases in the U.S. will drop significantly as they have in other countries.
Wearing a Mask to Protect Others
While many adolescents and young adults are not at high risk for severe coronavirus infection, it is still important that everybody wear masks. Some people may argue that they have the right to refuse wearing masks and they're willing to risk themselves to exposure for it. However, even though these people may not be at high risk, it's important to understand that when we go outside without a mask, we put others at risk for exposure. For example, many adolescents, who choose not to wear masks, are more likely to be asymptomatic (See Are Schools Ready to Reopen). However, a new study reports that adolescents carry a similar viral load as adults while children under 5 carry an even higher viral load, despite their lack of symptoms. (See Children Carry More Coronavirus than Adults) This is very dangerous because many adolescents could be unaware that they're carrying the virus when they step outside without a mask and infect others. Similarly, many asymptomatic young adults/adolescents have unknowingly brought the virus back home and infected family members who could be at high risk. Unlike adolescents, those at high risk could face severe consequences that could lead to death. It's important to understand that even if someone wears a mask, they can still be infected by those who aren't wearing one. Although some people don't mind putting themselves at risk, there's still have a moral obligation to protect others from infection by wearing a mask. Wear a mask to protect not only yourself and others, but also your loved ones.
When to Wear a Mask
There are various types of masks and different situations when we should wear them. To learn more about the different types of masks and their efficacy see: Different masks and their efficacy. When there is a shortage of masks, masks should be reserved for healthcare workers while everyone else stays home. However, as the country reopens, everybody needs to be wearing a mask and keeping socially distant from others when going outside.
Remember, the coronavirus is real, masks are effective and everyone should be wearing them to protect not only themselves, but also others. The fastest way to reduce coronavirus cases and deaths is to wear a mask!
Sources
1. Chan, Tak Kwong. “Universal Masking for COVID-19: Evidence, Ethics and Recommendations.” BMJ Global Health, BMJ Publishing Group, May 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7254130/.
2. Claire Gillespie July 01, and Claire Gillespie. “People Are Being Shamed on Social Media for Not Wearing a Face Mask in Public-But Why Won't They?” Health.com, 1 July 2020, www.health.com/condition/infectious-diseases/coronavirus/face-mask-refuse-to-wear-one-but-why.
3. Appiah, Kwame Anthony. “How Do I Deal With a Friend Who Thinks Covid-19 Is a Hoax?” The New York Times, The New York Times, 22 Apr. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/04/22/magazine/coronavirus-hoax.html.
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